New Children’s Centre will be hope to mums like me

Spring 2010 will see the opening of Norden Sure Start Children’s Centre. Parent Sharon Young tells her story of becoming a mum for the first time at 39 and her hopes for the new centre that will be on her doorstep.

In her own words: "When a leaflet dropped through my door telling me of a new Sure Start Children’s centre in Norden, I was thrilled!! In fact, I made contact and joined the stakeholder group for the new centre to hopefully input into other families, what Sure Start has contributed to ours.

"I became a mum for the first time aged 39. It was the most amazing feeling of my life. Being in hospital with him for over a week before he reached 4 weeks old was just about the worst feeling ever as well! However, my beautiful boy Albie was soon fit to come home, but following his hospital stay I had trouble breastfeeding him. My health visitor recommended a breastfeeding support group at Meanwood Sure Start Children’s Centre and desperate to do anything to help Albie feed, I reluctantly went along. I have to admit, I only went for the professional support of the breastfeeding advisor, but I found the other mums were all the support I needed. They knew what it felt like to be overjoyed with their new bundle of joy and yet tearful and desperate at the same time. Best of all though, they made me feel normal for experiencing all of this, and gave me the encouragement I needed to persevere.

"Whilst at the centre, I discovered some of the other groups and activities such as baby massage, which Albie loved, as well as Stay & Play and Little Swimmers. I met some great people and have made a really good friend out of my experience.

"It’s has been great to be involved in the set-up of the new centre, even just to satisfy my nosey side! I've got to see the new centre before it's completion and even had a chance to voice opinions on things like what sessions might be useful, what type of pram-store would be best, even the colour of the paint on the walls. But best of all is knowing that I'll now have a children's centre on my doorstep, instead of having to do the dreaded "wrestle the baby into the car-seat" manoeuvre each time I attend Meanwood!

"I'm hoping that Norden centre will be just as relaxed and welcoming as Meanwood is, and that it provides much needed support to new mums like myself."

There will be a series of open days for the new centre which will be based at Norden Community School on Shawfield Lane in Norden in the new year. Watch out for more details to follow.